Are there many scenes showing Doug back with his housemates?
"Absolutely. What's really nice about his return is that Doug immediately reconnects with the people who are important to him. Because of the way the story went last year, it's easy to forget that the characters in the lads' pad have been friends for a few years now.
"There's a long history with them and the core of Doug, Leanne and Texas is still there. What's nice is that in 2013 that area of the show will be explored a bit more - and there's a lot to come which Doug will be involved in."
When Doug left for New York last month, did you receive many tweets from fans who thought you'd left Hollyoaks?"Yes, which is why I went on radio silence for a bit! Personally speaking, if I was watching a TV show and something that pivotal happened, I wouldn't want to know whether the actor was returning. I tried to keep my tweets as vague as possible."
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You've been off screen for about a month, so did that translate into a month off work for you?"It didn't, because of the way that we shoot with filming blocks overlapping. I had to explain this to my mother several times as she was very worried for my job! I had to explain that I wasn't necessarily having a month without any work!
"I was able to go home to New York for a week around Thanksgiving time. I hadn't been at home for Thanksgiving for five years, so that was really nice. I also went home for Christmas, so Doug's departure afforded me a two-week break that I split into two different time periods. But I like working and if I had been off for a month, I probably would have lost my mind!"
Would you like Doug to get a new love interest or stay single for a while?"Well, I've read some people saying that they want Doug to concentrate on being a happy, single, young gay man. I understand that sentiment, but I don't think he should outrightly reject a romance based on that sort of thinking. I would think that Doug should be in a relationship of some sort - but one that's loving, healthy and not based on a lot of secrecy.
"As good as Doug and Ste were, there was a lot of mistrust and dodgy dealings going on. If there were to be a relationship for Doug, I would hope it would be a healthy one and one which makes Doug a happier person, which does seem to be the focus at the moment. But obviously not too happy, because who wants to watch that?"
This is just speculation at the moment, but some fans are already saying that Doug should get together with John Paul. Have you had any scenes with James Sutton?"Perhaps! John Paul is a character who re-appeared while Doug was away, so I'm sure that Doug would be interested in finding out who he is. Also, Leanne already knows John Paul, so there's a connection there which suggests that there could be something coming along. But it's one of those ones where you'll just have to tune in and see!"